We walked around the touristy bit before going to the Reykjavík Art Museum. This was one of 3 connected museums across the city and this building, an refurbished harbour warehouse was now housing mainly contemporary art. The building was interesting and quite a bit of the art was as well. Thee was an installation called flood which, while I didnt enjoy, did make an impact. A very large extremly dark room with flickering lights about every 30 seconds surround by the noise of running and dripping water... well I've defo read too many scandi noir thrillers because all I could think of was deep buried imprisoned underground... I couldnt get out quick enough🤣🤣🤣.
The other two installations - REK - teutonic plates and SAD - seasonal affective disorder were much less threatening but also we less impact.
The rest of the gallery was hosting an exhibition focusing on compulsive working methods in art... repetition, rules, hyperfocus. Some of it was really interesting and highlighted both the positive and negatives of the concept of compulsion.
I really liked the 'Random Birds collection by Ásgrímur Pórhallsson. His figurative drawings of birds with text that obviously I cant read were quite fascinating and made not only for compulsive drawing but compulsive viewing. I'm sure they all have diffeent meanings but its all in Icelandic which - for me - deepens the mystery...
The other work was very varied - some incedibly precise and some very colourful. It all made for a great exhibition. Free (decent) coffee completly sold the gallery to us!!!
We walked up through town to the smallest (possibly the grimiest) gallery in town.
Opened in 2016 by Johny Rotten, the punk rock music museum is housed in an old now (presumably) unused public toilet. Classically down some steps surrounded by railings the 6 or so previous toilet/unrinal stalls have been converted into a space telling the story of Icelands punk rock history.... fascinating stuff... and dare I say Bork is finally where she should be - my humble opinion - prob not a popular one.
This tiny museum is packed with information and 'punk' artefacts - its a bit on the tatty side and while clever and defo worth a visit I dont know that it sells the punk scene in the most positive way - I shouldnt think its looking to convert people at this point but I think punk was as an important cintribution to the music scene...
Yes punk rock was about anarchy and was seedy and squalid - there was a large amount of insurection and rebellion but mainly it became about the music.... this space while doing a brilliant job could have done with some 'tlc' to get it to the right level of squalidness - looked a bit tired rather than grimey 🤣🤣🤣
Those were the highlights of Reykjavic - We went up to another gallery via the famous church.
We had hoped to go up the steeple for the views but it was shut as was the church due to Bishops ordination. Dr Fred did get to stand on a bit of Icelandic rock though - I hope theres more to come... The second art gallery was good. Different again.. paintings of 'homesteads' across Iceland. Made often as memories as people were forced to migrate for work opportunities.
We had museum leg by that time and it was a good 45 minutes walk back along puffin alley to get the shuttle bus back just in time for afternoon tea.
I think Reykjavic has a lot more culture to offer and I look forward to returning.... then we will have time to get out of town and do some of the famous nature!
Ps. It had some great street art.
Looks well worth a visit. I’ve never really thought about going there but it’s going to have to go on the list.
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